FINANCE, CLAIMS AND ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
A regular meeting of the Chippewa County Board of
Commissioners’ Finance, Claims and Accounts Committee was held on Thursday,
March 4, 2004 at the Chippewa County Courthouse in Sault Ste. Marie,
Michigan. Chairperson Dale called the
meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. with a quorum present.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Rita Dale, Chairperson, Aaron Hopper, Richard
Timmer, Don Cooper and Ted Postula
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Earl Kay and James Moore
MEMBERS
ABSENT: None
OTHERS PRESENT: Tim Dolehanty, County Controller, Dave
Carpenter, Finance Director, Sue Short, Probate Court Administrator, Sharon
Kennedy, Register of Deeds / Equalization Director
Additions / Deletions to the Agenda
Chairperson Dale called for additions or deletions to
the agenda. It was agreed that the purchase of equipment and software through
the Register of Deeds technology fund would be added to the agenda.
Public Comments
Chairperson Dale called for pubic comments. No public comments were offered.
Correspondence
and Information Items
The Committee received the monthly Treasurer’s report,
monthly travel report, and two Gongwer reports concerning the state budget
proposal.
Agenda Items: Alcalde and Fay Proposal
Commissioner Kay reported on a vote of the Economic
Development Corporation to allocate one year of payments to Alcalde and Fay
after the $1 million is received from the Omnibus bill recently passed by the
federal government.
Commissioner Cooper reviewed the history of payments
to employees of the Public Defender’s office and the contract between the
County and the Sault Tribe for Public Defender services. He said it appears that employees received
compensation in addition to their respective salaries and wages since the Sault
Tribe contract was approved in 2000.
Commissioner Cooper said this result was not intended. Committee members agreed, noting in their
discussion that the situation was not fair to taxpayers or the County.
It was moved
by Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Postula, to recommend that
proper adjustments be made to assure County employees are properly compensated,
and to place all affected parties on notice as required in the existing agreement. On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.
Register
of Deeds Equipment Purchase
Register of Deeds / Equalization Director Sharon
Kennedy appeared before the Committee to request authorization to purchase
equipment and software in order to comply with requirements imposed under Act
698 of 2002. The estimated $38,000 cost
to complete purchase would come from funds deposited in the technology
fund. The Committee discussed the
purpose of the technology fund and compatibility of the equipment with the County’s
computer network.
It was moved
by Commissioner Hopper, seconded by Commissioner Postula, to recommend approval
of the equipment and software purchase as recommended by the Register of Deeds
/ Equalization Director. On a voice
vote, the motion was CARRIED.
Disability
Insurance – Sheriff’s Department
Controller Tim Dolehanty reported on an increase in
premium cost for short-term and long-term disability insurance coverage for
Sheriff’s Department employees. He said
the current carrier, Harleysville Life Insurance Company, proposed a
considerable price increase. Employee
Benefits Agency, Inc., acting on behalf of the County, sought quotes from other
companies that provide the same coverage.
The agency recommended contracting with Medical Life Insurance Company
for the short-term disability policy, and renewing coverage with Harleysville
for long-term disability coverage.
It was moved
by Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Timmer, to recommend
contracting with Medical Life Insurance Company for the short-term disability
policy, and renewing coverage with Harleysville for long-term disability
coverage as proposed by Employee Benefits Agency, Inc. On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.
Draft
Credit Card Policy
Controller Dolehanty presented a draft credit card
policy for consideration by the Committee.
Commissioner Kay reported on a situation that occurred at the health
department when an employee made a purchase for the department with a personal
credit card. The matter was discussed by
the Board of Health, and it was their suggestion that the County explore a
credit card policy.
The Committee discussed the proposal and the need for
a County credit card. Advantages and
disadvantages associated with County credit card use were also discussed.
It was moved
by Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Hopper, to recommend use of a
County credit card be explored further, and to seek advice from the County
auditor. On a voice vote, the motion
was CARRIED.
Resolution
in Opposition to Proposed Tax Collection Date Change
The Committee reviewed a draft resolution in
opposition to the proposed tax collection date change proposed as part of the
State’s 2005 budget.
It was moved
by Commissioner Hopper, seconded by Commissioner Timmer, to recommend approval
of Resolution 04-05 in opposition to the proposed tax collection date change
and elimination of state revenue sharing.
On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.
Resolution
of Appreciation
Commissioner Kay asked that the Committee offer a resolution
recognizing former Friend of the Court Richard Askwith for his service to
Chippewa County.
It was moved
by Commissioner Hopper, seconded by Commissioner Postula, to recommend approval
of Resolution 04-06 recognizing former Friend of the Court Richard Askwith for
his service to Chippewa County. On a
voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.
Quarterly
Budget Reports
Controller Dolehanty discussed the necessity of a
detailed quarterly budget report with the Committee. He stated the reports would begin with the April meeting of the
Finance, Claims and Accounts Committee meeting.
Finance Director Carpenter reviewed the monthly claims and accounts report.
It was moved by Commissioner Timmer, seconded by Commissioner Postula, to recommend the approval of general fund claims totaling $303,568.46, other fund claims of $52,503.41, payroll of $523,119.84 and health department claims of $474,254.76, total claims of $1,353,446.47, vouchers 35377 through 35537 and C-1 through C-193. On a voice vote, the motion was CARRIED.
Committee Comments
Committee members offered no additional comments.
Chairperson Dale offered no additional comments.
Adjourn
It was moved
by Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Timmer, to adjourn the
meeting. On a voice vote, the motion
was CARRIED.
Chairperson Dale declared the meeting adjourned at
6:05 p.m.
__________________________________ __________________________________
Timothy J.
Dolehanty, AICP, Recorder Rita
Dale, Committee Chairperson
Minutes of a regular
meeting of the Chippewa County Board of Commissioners, held at the Chippewa
County Courthouse, 319 Court St., Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan on the 8th
day of March, 2004 at 7:00 p.m.
PRESENT: __________________________________________________________
ABSENT: __________________________________________________________
The
following preamble and resolution was offered by Commissioner
___________________ and seconded by Commissioner _________________.
RESOLUTION IN OPPOSITION TO TAX COLLECTION DATE CHANGE
WHEREAS, Governor Jennifer Granholm proposed to temporarily eliminate revenue
sharing for Michigan counties in her FY 2005 budget; and
WHEREAS, the Governor called for creation of a reserve fund in her FY 2005
budget proposal, paid for by advancing the date when county property taxes are
collected, to provide the equivalent of what counties would receive in revenue
sharing for at least five years; and
WHEREAS, the Governor’s budget
proposal does not address replacement of revenue sharing dollars after
temporary suspension; and
WHEREAS, the proposal to advance the property tax collection date will place an
additional burden on Chippewa County taxpayers.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, as follows:
1.
That
the Chippewa County Board of Commissioners respectfully records its opposition
to the Governor’s proposal to temporarily eliminate state revenue sharing
payments to counties, and her proposal to advance the date when county property
taxes are collected; and
2.
That
the Chippewa County Board of Commissioners calls on the Governor and State
Legislature to work with the Michigan Association of Counties to create a
stable fund designed to maintain county revenue sharing payments on a permanent
basis; and
3.
That
a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Governor Granholm, state legislators
representing Chippewa County, and the Michigan Association of Counties for
their consideration.
A VOTE WAS TAKEN AS FOLLOWS
AYES: __________________________________________________________
NAYS: __________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
DECLARED ADOPTED.
____________________________________________________________
Earl Kay, Chairman,
Chippewa County Board of Commissioners
____________________________________________________________
Diane S. Cork, County
Clerk
STATE OF
MICHIGAN )
) ss.
COUNTY OF
CHIPPEWA )
I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and
complete copy of the resolution adopted by the County Board of Commissioners of
Chippewa County at a regular meeting held on the date first stated above, and I
further certify that public notice of such meeting was given as provided by
law.
____________________________________________________________
Diane S. Cork, County Clerk
Minutes of a regular
meeting of the Chippewa County Board of Commissioners, held at the Chippewa
County Courthouse, 319 Court St., Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan on the 8th
day of March, 2004 at 7:00 p.m.
PRESENT: __________________________________________________________
ABSENT: __________________________________________________________
The
following preamble and resolution was offered by Commissioner
___________________ and seconded by Commissioner _________________.
RESOLUTION IN APPRECIATION AND SPECIAL RECOGNITION
WHEREAS, Richard Askwith was appointed to the position of Chippewa County
Friend of the Court on June 1, 1993; and
WHEREAS, Richard Askwith dutifully served the residents of Chippewa County for
the succeeding ten years; and
WHEREAS, Richard Askwith served the
community through his involvement with the court system in roles outside of his
duties as Friend of the Court; and
WHEREAS, Richard Askwith honorably served the citizens of Chippewa County
during his tenure as the Friend of the Court until his retirement on December
31, 2003.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, as follows:
4.
That
the Chippewa County Board of Commissioners respectfully dedicates this document
to honor and thank Richard Askwith for his many years of public service and
particularly for his work in Chippewa County.
5.
That
the Chippewa County Board of Commissioners extend their best wishes to Richard
Askwith for many years of good health and enjoyment in his retirement.
A VOTE WAS TAKEN AS FOLLOWS
AYES: __________________________________________________________
NAYS: __________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
DECLARED ADOPTED.
____________________________________________________________
Earl Kay, Chairman,
Chippewa County Board of Commissioners
____________________________________________________________
Diane S. Cork, County
Clerk
STATE OF
MICHIGAN )
) ss.
COUNTY OF
CHIPPEWA )
I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and
complete copy of the resolution adopted by the County Board of Commissioners of
Chippewa County at a regular meeting held on the date first stated above, and I
further certify that public notice of such meeting was given as provided by
law.
____________________________________________________________
Diane S. Cork, County Clerk